Originally founded as the Holy Rude Abbey (the ruins can still be seen in the grounds), Holyrood Palace rivals the castle for it's ghosts and strange happenings.

It was the home of Mary Queen of Scots between 1561 and 1567. Mary had a private secretary, an Italian named David Rizzio, who she was very fond of, much to the dislike of her husband and first cousin Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley.

Mary's enemies convinced Lord Darnley that David was Mary's lover, and the Lord and his accomplices plotted to murder him. They attacked Mary's private apartment within the palace and stabbed David to death in front of her. She was heavily pregnant at the time.

His body was left on the floor of the north turret room just off Mary's chamber for 9 days.

The bloodstains on the floor could not be removed. No matter how hard the servants worked at them, the stains would reappear overnight.

They're still there now.

Lord Darnley died one year later in an explosion that many suspected Mary of arranging in revenge for David's death. Darnley's ghost still haunts his old rooms in the palace, skulking about rather as if he were ashamed of himself...

Though suspected, Mary was never accused. Instead, the Earl of Bothwell was. He was acquitted and a few months later Mary married him. It was a scandal, and Mary was imprisoned by nobels in Loch Leven Castle (she escaped to England but was then imprisoned by Queen Elizabeth 1 who had her beheaded in 1587).

Mary's ghost is said to haunt many castles and palaces up and down Britain, including Stirling Castle, Borthwick Castle, Loch Leven Castle, Hermitage Castle (even though she never set foot in it while she was alive), Craignethan Castle, Manor Lodge in Sheffield, Bolton Castle, nearby Nappa Hall and Glamis Castle. Oddly though, she doesn't haunt Holyrood.

Interesting. I've heard that Rizzo's ghost also haunts the area where he died. I've wanted to go there, but haven't had the chance. Do you know if the Royal Family would let me try to catch the ghosts on film?

In magic, anything is possible.You can teach a cat how to use the toilet.Teaching it how to flush is another matter.

The broomsticks are mounted. The ghosts are a-fright. Enchanting takes wing, On All Hallows’ Night.